New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) Quashing the reports related to crash involving Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at a forward base, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) issued a statement clarifying that no such incident had occurred and termed the episode a minor technical issue on the ground.
The clarification comes after there were multiple reports that claimed that the Indian Air Force’s Tejas aircraft allegedly suffered major airframe damage after overshooting a runway at a frontline airbase due to suspected brake failure during a training sortie on February 7. It was also reported that the pilot had ejected safely from the single seater aircraft. The IAF remained tight lipped over the incident with no official confirmation about the same.
In a statement issued here on Monday, HAL said that there has been no reported crash of the LCA Tejas. The event in question was a minor technical incident on ground.
“LCA Tejas maintains one of the world’s best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft,” the HAL said. It further stated that HAL is in close coordination with the IAF to ensure the matter is resolved at the earliest. “As a standard operating procedure, the issue is being analysed in depth and HAL is working closely with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a speedy resolution,” the statement concluded.
LCA Tejas marks India’s entry into the league of nations capable of designing and producing modern fighter aircraft. Developed domestically, the jet is powered by an imported engine and is equipped with an in-flight refuelling probe mounted on the right side of its forward fuselage, enhancing its operational range and endurance.
Classified as a 4.5-generation, multi-role combat aircraft, Tejas is engineered to perform a wide spectrum of missions, from air superiority and air defence to ground attack and close air support. Compact and lightweight, it is regarded among the smallest and lightest fighters in its category, giving it high agility and combat flexibility.
The LCA Tejas has faced two significant accidents in recent years. The first occurred on March 12, 2024, when an aircraft went down near Jaisalmer during a routine training sortie; the pilot managed to eject without injury.
A second crash took place in November 2025 during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow. The incident resulted in the death of the pilot and sparked renewed scrutiny over the aircraft’s safety record and overall reliability.
